Senior Daniel Yacar was selected as one of 55 PSAL student-athletes to receive the MVP Scholar-Athlete Award, sponsored by the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, the New York Yankees, Nike, and the PSAL. Daniel was honored at a dinner held at Yankee Stadium on December 17.

In addition, the 55 student-athletes  were recognized on the field between the first and second quarters of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, also held at Yankee Stadium on December 28. After going on the field, the recipients were led to field-level seats to watch the game.

Daniel was nominated by Athletic Director Keith Hanson after soccer coach Matthew Curiale recommended him.

To be selected, a student must have a high scholastic standing and status as a two-year varsity member.

Although he never knew about his nomination, Daniel found a letter from the PSAL in his mailbox notifying him of becoming the 2013 MVP Scholar-Athlete. When he found the letter he said, “I was happy even though I had to do research to actually interpret what I was being awarded for.”

Coach Curiale was glad that his player of four years was recognized.

He explained that Daniel was the “captain and one of the outstanding players on the team” because of his “tremendous dedication.” Coach Curiale is impressed with how Daniel has “grown as a student-athlete over the past four years.”

Daniel was lauded by his coach for “serving as a positive role model” for the other players.

With his four-year career at THHS now concluded, Daniel hopes to play soccer at the collegiate level.

From January 29 until February 9, he will be taking part in the Viareggio Cup, a showcase tournament in Tuscany, Italy, with his club team, the Auburndale Juventus.